I am a physical therapist (PT) specializing in treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders, primarily those with cerebral palsy (CP). I am also an associate professor in the College of Allied Health Science at the University of Cincinnati. My interest in PT began as a teenager when I babysat and volunteered to provide services to a child with cerebral palsy.
There is a need for more evidence to support the care we provide. As a health services researcher, I focus on learning what dose of physical therapy produces the best outcomes. Many factors play a role in determining what works for which child and when. Working with families and children to determine best practices, such as the best therapy program for each child and family, drives my research. I am also working to engage other clinicians in research.
I’m honored to be the recipient of various awards, including:
I am also on the Cerebral Palsy Research Network's leadership team — a multi-center, multi-discipline collaboration among patients, families and clinicians to foster high-quality, high-impact clinical research and quality improvement for treatments in CP.
BS: Physical Therapy, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 1985.
MS: Pediatric Physical Therapy Science, Boston University, Boston, MA, 1990.
PhD: Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2014.
Specialist Certification: American Physical Therapy Association, Pediatric Clinical Specialist, 1993 to present.
Developmental disabilities; cerebral palsy
Cerebral Palsy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
Cerebral palsy; dosing; service utilization
Reproductive Sciences
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Interventions to Improve the Occupational Performance of Youth With Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2024; 78:7806205060.
White matter characteristics in children with cerebral palsy prior to selective dorsal rhizotomy: a multicenter diffusion tensor imaging study. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 2024; 34:268-277.
Mental Health Diagnoses Risk Among Children and Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, or Typical Development. JAMA network open. 2024; 7:e2422202.
Spreading Standardized Documentation of Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy Dose: A Quality Improvement Initiative. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2024; 78:7804205050.
A big data approach to evaluate receipt of optimal care in childhood cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2024; 46:723-730.
A multicenter initiative to reduce intrathecal baclofen pump surgical site infection: a Cerebral Palsy Research Network quality improvement project. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 2023; 31:444-452.
Outpatient hospital utilization after single event multi-level surgery in children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. 2023; 16:139-148.
Inpatient Physical Therapy After Orthopedic Lower Extremity Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2023; 35:57-64.
Commentary on "Factors Associated With Short-Term Recovery Following Single-Event Multilevel Surgery for Children With Cerebral Palsy ". Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2023; 35:100.
Gross motor function prediction using natural language processing in cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2023; 65:100-106.